News • Great Bay Tai Chi

October Seminars

Sunday, 10/22

Medical Qigong with Lynne Deschenes

10:30 a.m. – 12:00 p.m.

Lynne Deschenes of The Access clinic will offer a 90-minute seminar on Medical Qigong and Traditional Chinese Medicine Theory at Internal Arts New England. Lynne will cover the 12 major internal organs and their respective meridian directions and flow. Seasonal associations, physical and emotional characteristics, and the 5 Elements will all be discussed along with specific exercises to direct energy and attain balance.

Saturday, October 28

A Morning of Insight Meditation with Ted Jones

10:30 a.m. – 1:00 p.m.

Ted Jones of North Shore Insight Meditation Center will lead A Morning of Insight Meditation at Internal Arts New England.

Meditation can be understood as the art of bringing full, conscious attention to the present moment, just as it is. In this program, this practice of Insight meditation will be presented in a silent retreat format where we will calm the mind through attention to the sensations of breath and movement. Meditation periods will be guided with instructions, and there will be ample time reserved for questions and discussion. Open to both beginners and experienced meditators.

Sunday, October 29

Long Form Refinements with Chris Himmel

10:00 a.m. – 12:00 p.m.

Chris will offer a 2-hour seminar on refining the Long Form at Internal Arts New England. This seminar is intended for students who already know most or all of the sequence and are interested in deepening the practice and understanding. Some applications may be practiced.

Highly recommended for students who are interested in deepening their practice and working on concepts that aren’t often covered in regular classes.

Latest News and Announcements

Hello Great Bay Tai Chi Community!

Fall is upon us, but there is no slowing down of activities at Great Bay Tai Chi and Internal Arts New England! Many thanks to those of you who completed the survey that we sent out. We are compiling that data and using it to refine our schedule and offerings. While we will continue to work to bring the best offerings at the most convenient times, here is what we have coming up in the weeks ahead:

Open Practice times this week

Sensei Michael is recovering from an injury and will be unavailable for the Martial Movement classes this week. Therefore, his usual morning classes will be replaced by Open Practice on Monday, 9/25 and Friday, 9/29 8:00-9:00am. All students are welcome to come in to Internal Arts New England during these times to work on any of our subjects and receive coaching.

Woodstock Retreat

We have a great group of students attending the retreat with Paul Mahoney in Woodstock on Saturday, 9/30. If you are attending on Saturday and want some extra review time on Sunday, 10/1, Chris is offering a half-day review session to continue to go over what we learn on Saturday. If you would like to take part in the Sunday morning review session please register below!

Tournament Prep Sessions

With several students already registered for the Chinese Martial Arts Autumn Invitational, we are offering dedicated sessions to work and be coached on tournament material on Fridays at 11:00 at Internal Arts New England. If you are interested in participating in the tournament, please check out https://www.cmatournament.com/.
Please note that due to the Woodstock seminar, there will be no tournament prep on Friday, 9/29, but these sessions will take place on subsequent Fridays until the tournament on 11/5.

Abiding in Mindfulness Retreat

On Saturday, 10/14, Matthew Daniell of North Shore Insight Meditation Center will offer this half day retreat at Internal Arts New England 10:30am-1:00pm. Select the below link for more details and to register.

Yin Style Baguazhang

On Sunday, 10/15, Michael D’Angelo will offer a 2-hour seminar on Yin Style Baguazhang at Internal Arts New England 10:00am-12:00pm. This style of Bagua emphasizes striking and is broken into 8 distinct animal systems. Michael will offer an overview of Yin Style along with some fundamental exercises and applications. Select the below link for more details and to register.

Medical Qigong

On Sunday 10/22, Lynne Deschenes of The Access clinic will offer a 90-minute seminar on Medical Qigong and Traditional Chinese Medicine Theory at Internal Arts New England. Lynne will cover the 12 major internal organs and their respective meridian directions and flow. Seasonal associations, physical and emotional characteristics, and the 5 Elements will all be discussed along with specific exercises to direct energy and attain balance. Select the below link for more details and to register.

A Morning of Insight Meditation

On Saturday, October 28, Ted Jones of North Shore Insight Meditation Center will lead A Morning of Insight Meditation at Internal Arts New England 10:30am-1:00pm. Select the below link for more details and to register.

Long Form Refinements

On Sunday, October 29, Chris Himmel will offer a 2-hour seminar on refining the Long Form at Internal Arts New England. This seminar is intended for students who already know most or all of the sequence and are interested in deepening the practice and understanding. Some applications may be practiced. Select the below link for more details and to register.

More updates to come as we continue to adjust our schedule over the next several weeks. Until then…

Happy Practicing!

September Announcements and Student Survey

Hello Great Bay Tai Chi Community!

We hope you are enjoying the last throes of summer. As we move into Fall we have a lot of great things planned that we hope you will take advantage of. In order to provide you with the best possible programming, we are also asking for your help and feedback.

Student Survey

We have compiled a survey that will help us adjust our schedule to better serve all of you. Please note that the survey is geared toward programs at Internal Arts New England in Salisbury, as that is where we are currently able to offer new classes and seminars. If you are viewing the survey on a mobile device, please make sure you are seeing all available responses. This may require scrolling to the side when looking at the calendar grids to choose the days and times that best fit your schedule. We appreciate your feedback and look forward to your responses!
Please complete the survey below.

Here is what's happening in the weeks ahead:

Yoga

Meghan’s Monday Yoga and Thursday Meditation classes have been temporarily removed from the schedule. In order to make these classes accessible to more people, please provide your feedback in the survey by following the link above.

September Qigong Class Theme

Our Thursday morning Qigong class will focus on Small Circulation, also known as the Microcosmic Orbit, for the month of September. This practice, usually done seated, uses the breath to regulate the body’s energy. Small Circulation helps improve body awareness, and is an excellent method for improving/maintaining overall health and reaching a relaxed, meditative mental state. If time allows, we will also explore the immunity qigong practice of bone marrow breathing. Please join us Thursdays at 8:30am.

Saturday, September 9: Ted Jones

On Saturday, September 9, Ted Jones of North Shore Insight Meditation Center will lead A Morning of Insight Meditation at Internal Arts New England 10:30am-1:00pm. For a full description of the event and how to register please visit the link below.

Sunday, September 17: Sifu Gary LaChapelle

Sifu Gary Lachapelle returns to Internal Arts New England on Sunday, September 17, 10:00am-12:00pm for the second seminar on Tai Chi Kung Fu Fan. Combining movements from Tai Chi and Long Fist Kung Fu, this form is enjoyable, and is a great addition to your practice.
Register through the link below.

Thursday, September 7 and 14th: Tai Chi Kung Fu Fan Practice Sessions

If you were unable to attend the first seminar, or need a refresher, Chris is running review sessions at Internal Arts New England on Thursday 9/7 and 9/14 at 7:00pm. Each one hour session costs $20 payable on site.

Saturday, September 23: Pam Jacobson and Effie Stavrulaki

Pam Jacobson and Effie Stavrulaki will continue their series on Mindfulness in Stillness and Motion on Saturday, September 23, 10:30am-12:30pm. This workshop will focus on ways to reduce stress and increase one’s sense of wellbeing. For a full description of the event and how to register please visit the link below.

Sunday, September 24: Sylwia Willcox

On Sunday, September 24, 11:30am-12:45pm, Sylwia Willcox of North Shore Insight Meditation will lead a workshop on Mindfulness for Kids and their Grownups. This seminar is for kids ages 4-9 and their families. For a full description of the event and how to register please visit the link below.

Saturday, September 30: Woodstock Retreat with Sifu Paul Mahoney

Our Woodstock Retreat will meet on Saturday, September 30. This is a great opportunity to work with Great Bay Tai Chi founder Paul Mahoney and other instructors. We have a great offering of topics including Short Form, Long Form, Matching Set, Tai Chi Ball, Tai Chi Saber, Matching Set, Intro to Wing Chun, Intro to Baguazhang, Push Hands, Centering, and Chin Na. For more information or to register, please email Paul through the link below.

Sunday, October 1: Woodstock Retreat, Review and Practice Session

For those who plan to make a full weekend of the retreat, Chris will offer a review and practice session the morning of Sunday, October 1. We will meet in or near Woodstock to go over the material presented during the Saturday retreat.

October Seminars: Save the Dates

For those who are planning ahead, here are your save the dates for October:
Saturday 10/14 10:30am-1:00pm – Meditation Retreat with Matthew Daniell
Sunday 10/15 10:00am-12:00pm – Yin Style Baguazhang with Michael D’Angelo
Sunday 10/22 – 10:30am-12:00pm – Medical Qigong with Lynne Deschenes
Saturday 10/28 – 10:30am-12:00pm – A Morning of Insight Meditation with Ted Jones

As you can see, there is a lot going on. We look forward to seeing you at the workshops listed above as well as in class.

Happy Practicing!

Internal Arts New England Calendar: September 2023

September Seminars

Save the Dates!

Sunday, 9/17

Tai Chi Kung Fu Fan with Sifu Gary Lachapelle

10:00am-12:00pm

Sifu Gary returns to Internal Arts New England to review sections 1-4 and teach the final two sections of the Tai Chi Kung Fu Fan form. This sequence is a fun addition to your practice, combining elements of Tai Chi and Long Fist Kung Fu. Please note that this is a continuation of a previous seminar, so the focus will be on sections 5 and 6 and practicing the complete form. Please check out the review session with Chris before the seminar if you have not done or would like a refresher on sections 1-4.

Sifu Gary is Chief Instructor at Kung Fu & Tai Chi Academy of New England.

Photo retrieved from https://newenglandkungfu.com/sifu/.

Saturday, 9/23

Mindfulness and Stillness in Motion with Pam Jacobson and Effie Stavrulaki

10:30am-12:30pm

Effie and Pam will continue their series on Mindfulness in Stillness and Motion on Saturday, September 23, 10:30am-12:30pm. This workshop will focus on ways to reduce stress and increase one’s sense of wellbeing. For a full description of the event and how to register please visit the link below.

Sunday, 9/24

Mindfulness for Kids and Parents with Sylwia Willcox

11:30am-12:45pm

Can you remember the last time you asked your child to pay attention?

This 75-minute program, which is suitable for children aged 4-9 and their families, explores the power of paying attention. We address the question of how paying attention without judgment changes our experience. Together we discover why and how children and their grownups can learn to pay attention while connecting to the present moment for a more centered and grounded experience. The program includes hands-on activities, guided conversations, and experiments with the senses, hearts, and minds.

Sylwia Willcox is a kindergarten teacher and a mindfulness teacher with Northshore Insight Meditation Center. She also runs Newburyport Aikido with her husband. Newburyport Aikido is hosted by Internal Arts New England.

Saturday, 9/30

Woodstock Fall Seminar with Sifu Paul Mahoney

9:00am-4:00pm

Refine your forms and deepen your practice with a half or full day of training. All Great Bay Tai Chi students are encourage to attend.

For more information or to register, please email info@greatbaytaichivt.com.

Paul Mahoney is the founder of Great Bay Tai Chi. He is a Taijiquan and Qigong (Chi Kung) master and an expert in martial Taijiquan which includes Pushing Hands and Chin Na as well as other related practices. He teaches a limited number of classes in Woodstock, Vermont, and Lebanon, New Hampshire, under the name Great Bay Tai Chi North. You can learn more about Paul and his class offerings at https://www.greatbaytaichivt.com/.

August Seminars

Sunday, August 6

Matching Set Seminar

Austin Murray will be holding his seminar on the Taiji Matching Set will be held on Sunday, August 6, 10:00am-12:00pm. This seminar is highly recommended for Long Form/Push Hands students and anyone interested in understanding the ways that Taiji postures can be used in combat. This fun, two-person form is a great addition to your solo practice!

Internal Arts New England Calendar: August 2023

August Schedule and Events

Hello Great Bay Tai Chi Community,

We had a great wrap up of our series on 4 Seasons Qigong on Sunday. Many thanks to all those who participated. If you missed any and would like the handouts that go to these sets, please let Chris know. We will be adding 4 Seasons Qigong into the rotation for our Thursday morning class, so you’ll have plenty of opportunities to practice. Here is what else is coming up in the next few weeks:

Week of July 31

*There are no outdoor classes scheduled in Amesbury this week*

An updated outdoor schedule for August will be released soon.

Yankee Homecoming has started. This means anyone that comes from or through Newburyport may need extra time for traffic delays especially for evening classes. Please plan appropriately.

Sunday, August 6

Matching Set Seminar

Austin Murray will be holding his seminar on the Taiji Matching Set on Sunday, August 6, 10:00am-12:00pm. This seminar is highly recommended for Long Form/Push Hands students and anyone interested in understanding the ways that Taiji postures can be used in combat. This fun, two-person form is a great addition to your solo practice!
for more information or to register

Sunday, August 13

There will be no Zoom class on Sunday, August 13. If you are interested in joining the 8:00am Zoom class that usually meets on Sunday mornings, please email Chris@greatbaytaichima.com.

The rest of the schedule looks normal for the moment. Many thanks to all the teachers for helping cover when another instructor is away. We’ve got a great team in place making sure that our class schedule is affected as little as possible. We will let you know of any other changes as soon as possible.

Coming in September- Save the Following Dates:

Sunday, 9/17

Tai Chi Kung Fu Fan with Sifu Gary Lachapelle 10:00am-12:00pm.

Sunday, 9/24

Mindfulness for Kids and Parents with Sylwia Willcox 11:30am-12:45pm.

More information coming soon!

Saturday, 9/30

Woodstock Fall Seminar with Sifu Paul Mahoney 9:00am-4:00pm
Refine your forms and deepen your practice with a half or full day of training.For more information or to register, please email:

Happy Practicing!

July Schedule and Events

Hello Great Bay Tai Chi Community!

We hope you are enjoying the summer weather and staying cool! The end of last week saw a new air conditioning system installed and floor repair work done at Internal Arts New England to keep everyone comfortable for the Salisbury classes. Here is what we have coming up for you in the weeks ahead:

Monday 7/10

No 8:00am Martial Movement or 4:00pm Yoga

Tuesday 7/11

Morning Classes at Training Field Park in Amesbury

The GPS address for Training Field Park is 55 Monroe Street in Amesbury, MA.

Petra returns to Internal Arts New England at 5:30pm for Short Form

Saturday 7/15

A Morning of Insight Meditation with Ted Jones
10:30am-1:00pm

Saturday 7/29

Sympathetic Joy with Matthew Daniell
10:30am-1:00pm

Sunday 7/30

4 Seasons Qigong: Summer with Chris Himmel
10:00am-12:00pm

Sunday 8/6

Yang Style Matching Set with Austin Murray
10:00am-12:00pm

Sunday 9/17

Tai Chi Kung Fu Fan with Sifu Gary Lachapelle
10:00am-12:00pm
Please note Chris is planning a refresher session on the form before Sifu Gary comes, so please stay tuned for those details.

Introducing Kicksite

In an effort to streamline our attendance and billing, we will be using a service called Kicksite to track the classes in Massachusetts and southern New Hampshire. Active students will receive information on how to login to your account. You are not required to take any action, but if you choose to login and use your account with Kicksite, you will be able to see your own attendance records and complete bill payments directly through this service, including an option for automated billing. More details will follow, but if you see emails from or referencing Kicksite, this is why. Please bear with us as we adjust to using this system.

That’s all for now. We look forward to seeing you in class.

Happy Practicing!

July Seminars

Saturday, July 15: A Morning of Insight Meditation

Instruction and Practice
with Ted Jones of North Shore Insight Meditation Center

Meditation can be understood as the art of bringing full, conscious attention to the present moment, just as it is. In today’s culture, this is a tall order, as we are continually bombarded with demands on our attention: advertising, texts, phone calls, emails, and a myriad of other electronic temptations. This is not even to mention the interpersonal challenges of our complex society. The practice of Insight meditation will be presented in a silent retreat format where we will calm the mind through attention to the sensations of breath and movement. Building on the foundation of this enhanced concentration, we will then expand our focus to include more complex phenomena, which will demonstrate the potential to experience our lives more fully and to understand more deeply who we truly are. Meditation periods will be guided with instructions, and there will be ample time reserved for questions and discussion. This program is open to both beginners and experienced meditators.

This guided meditation instruction and practice will meet on July 15 from 10:30am-1:00pm and costs $45.00 to attend.

July 29:The Power and Practice of Sympathetic Joy with Matthew Daniell

On Saturday, July 29, Matthew Daniell will teach a half-day retreat at Internal Arts New England.

It is rare as we are growing up that we are taught to truly take joy in others’ happiness and success. But without this ability, feelings of unworthiness, isolation, complaining, and a comparing mind can grow in us. When these tendencies become deeply entrenched, our hearts can become small and brittle, and the quality of our own life and those around us suffers. Supported by reflections on gratitude, this workshop will allow us to explore simple, powerful practices the Buddha taught of repeating positive appreciative phrases of intention to counteract our often unchallenged habit energies. When cultivated, sympathetic joy (mudita) allows us to connect to ourselves and others in ways that open the heart and mind, helping us to touch an innate quality of joy within us and providing the basis for living more fully in the here and now.

This workshop will include guided and silent meditation periods as well as an open discussion and Q&A. It is appropriate for beginners as well as experienced meditators.

This seminar will take place on Saturday, July 29 from 10:30 am – 1 pm.

Cost: $45

Sunday, July 30: 4 Seasons Qigong: Summer

The final seminar in our 4 Seasons Qigong Series with Chris Himmel will be on the Summer Set, which focuses on the heart. We will also review the All Seasons Set which is especially good for the neck and spine. You do not need to have attended any previous seminars in the series to take this one. No Tai Chi or Qigong experience is required.

This Seminar will take place on July 30 from 10:00am-12:00pm and costs $40.00 to attend.